Some of you may be aware of the pain and heartache my family and I are going through at the moment.
I initially thought it best to cancel FYBF this week.
Yet in this grief, I figured FYBF doesn’t have to always be “Happy, happy, joy, joy”
Just like death doesn’t have to be final.
I still love Kak Rytha. Somehow, she knows it.
With her vivacious, bubbly personality, she’d give me her signature beautiful smile and tell me “to get a grip and just friggin’ host the link, already.”
This past week, when I’ve been at my weakest, I’ve somehow found strength through her memories.
She was a loving wife and mum of 3, holding down a full-time job as a kick-arse dentist as well as being a smarty-pants lecturer.
Constantly surrounded by people who loved and respected her, she always found joy in keeping busy.
She truly lived life to the very fullest and I know she would want the same for me.
Happy or sad, she would’ve wanted me to continue connecting with my blogging community.
The other thing I’ve discovered this past week is the power of humanity.
Thank you for all your kind messages of support, comfort and prayers.
In all the suffering this world throws at us, it’s love and compassion that can bring that much-needed reprieve.
Wishing you all harmony, peace and prosperity for 2014. Take care of yourself and your loved ones.
***Much gratitude to Catherine of Cup Of Tea and A Blog who sent through the above Canon – a beacon of hope during a deep dark hour.***
1. Follow With Some Grace.
2. Sign up to the awesome Digital Parents community ( if you haven’t already done so). DP was created by Brenda Gaddi who happens to be the creator of FYBF. She’s also created 4 gorgeous kidlets. In case you’d like to know. Or maybe not. But we’ll share that info just the same.
3. Add your post URL to the linky. Please only link up one post.
4. Grab the funky FYBF button and post it on your sidebar. Help spread the blogfloggin love.
5. Visit the blogs of your fellow FYBF’ers and share the comment love
Di from Max The Unicorn says
I’m so sorry for your loss Grace 🙁
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Carolyn @ Champagne Cartel says
Some beautiful perspective, Grace. I’m so sorry for your loss but pleased you are able to remember all of the wonderful things. May 2014 be a time of healing for you and your family. xx
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Toni @ Finding Myself Young says
When you get sad, just remember all the happy times Grace xx
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Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit says
Dearest Grace – I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I can’t imagine the pain you are going through right now. The way you are approaching it though is inspiring. I am glad you have so many happy memories.
L
PS Thank you for always hosting FYBF … I would understand if you hadn’t this week though …
Kylez @ A Study in Contradictions says
Oh Grace, my heart goes out to you and your family. While 2013 was filled with lots of love and joy for my family, it was also touched by sadness, losing two family members within a few months of each other. Grief is a funny thing, it doesn’t follow any sort of timetable. And just when you think you’re getting to the end of it, it hits you again. And again. I hope that your grief can also be touched with happiness as you remember the happy times you spent together. That canon is a lovely thing and I know one of the things that helped me last year was remembering that death is not final, despite how it feels. xxx
Kylez @ A Study in Contradictions recently posted..2013. The Blog Year that Was
Kimberley M says
Awww hun, I’m so terribly sorry for what has happened (somehow I missed your last post about it). What a cruel and devastating thing to happen to your family, yet what a beautiful and moving tribute to someone you so obviously love very much. You have so much inner strength, lovely. Kim xxxxxx (x1000)
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Lara @ This Charming Mum says
It’s very sad to hear you suffering Grace. I hope you can find some peace in your happy memories of her. Well done for continuing to even give a thought to the blog community at this hard time for yourself x
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Jody at Six Little Hearts says
So sorry Grace. A very sad start to the year for everyone affected. My thoughts are with you all. Xx
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SarahD @SnippetsandSpirits says
Keep finding strength from those beautiful memories and knowing that you’re gorgeous friend would want you to carry on. Thank you for sharing you’re friend with us.
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Ai Sakura says
Big hugs Mama Grace… in this time of darkness, just remember that you too, are a strong woman with many others who love you. xox
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Lisa@RandomActsOfZen says
Gorgeous Grace, having heard your sad news earlier this week, I absolutely didn’t expect you to host today. But routine and familiar things can help us cope with grief. You’re a trooper honey, and your beautiful friend would be nothing but proud of you.
Take comfort in your family and all the amazing memories you have of someone who will always be by your side.
Much love and strength, Grace xx
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Alex Laughs Ideas Inspiration says
Oh Grace I am so sorry that this has happened to you and your family. She looked like a beautiful person. Sending cyber hugs and much love to you during this hard time.
There is no pain so great as the memory of joy in present grief – Aeschylus
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Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me says
I’m sure there is nothing anyone can say to help your grief, but know you are loved. And I’m so glad you were able to spent time with her recently. Life is such a gift. Hugs xxxx
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Sally@Toddlers on Tour says
Grace I am very sorry for your lose.
There are no words to make you feel better and only time will help you slowly heal.
Just enjoy the happy memories of things long forgotten that seem to pop up out of nowhere at this time.
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Jules says
Death is never final, as long as we remember. Whether is be something that made us laugh, or a moment that made us cry, memories are what keeps a person alive, long after they have physically left us. Take Care. xo
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Annie says
Very sad..wish I had more comforting words for you. But this quote, sums it up better, than I ever could:
“We never lose our loved ones. The accompany us; they don’t disappear from our lives. We are merely in different rooms.”
― Paulo Coelho
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mamagrace71 says
That’s a great Paulo Coelho quote, Annie. Thanks for sharing x
Mystery Case says
Thinking of you. xx
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Annaleis from Teapots and Tractors says
Hugging my loved ones a little closer, my thoughts have been with you Grace xx
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Pinky Poinker says
Dear Grace, This is such a tragic thing to happen particularly at this time of year. She sounds like she was an amazing lady and my heart goes out to her three children, family and friends.
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Alisha says
I’ve been following your facebook posts and was so sorry to hear that you lost someone so dear in these circumstances. Any time of year would be painful but especially now. Hope your writing and sharing helps you as it does for me xxxxx
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Sam Stone (@A Life on Venus) says
Still sending you lots of love and best wishes at this time Grace. xo
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Alicia O'Brien says
Sending love and hugs at this time Grace xxx
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floodproofmum says
So sorry to hear about your loss Grace. She will be greatly missed by you and her family xx
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Nikki@WonderfullyWomen says
Such sad news and I feel for you and your family to have such a loss at what is meant to be such a happy time. That is the joy of having a blog, it gives you the opportunity to share the good and the bad, that’s what makes a true life story. Sending love and light xxxxx N
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Tegan says
I am so sorry for your loss. Sending you all the hugs and love xx
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Emma Fahy Davis says
Keeping you and your family in my prayers Grace xx
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Rachel says
So sorry for your loss Grace. From your description she sounds like an awesome woman who will be very much missed. Sending you love x
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Carrie Ann Tripp (@CarrieAnnTripp) says
Praying for you in your time of grief.
Rita @ The Crafty Expat says
Hello Grace, I’ve been a terrible blogger lately. My parents are here from Canada and I’ve been spending all my time with them just popping out to publish a quick blog post. But, I just thought I’ll stop by to say that I’m so sorry for your loss and that I’ve been thinking about you a lot since I heard the news. I still want to wish you all the best for the New Year to you and your family. I hope this year will bring you peace in the middle of the storm of emotion you might have at the moment. Thinking of you, Rita
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